The Perryville Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three years olds, over a distance of a seven furlongs on the dirt held annually in October at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. The event currently carries a purse of $350,000.
History
The event is named after the city of Perryville located along the Chaplin River in western Boyle County, Kentucky.
The inaugural running of the event was on October 21, 1999 on the Beard course over the seven furlong and 184 feet distance event with National Saint the 9/5 second favorite, trained by US Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert ridden by Robby Albarado defeating Moon Over Prospect winning by a five lengths in a time of 1:22.61.
After six runnings, the event was upgraded in status in 2005 to Grade III. The winner Vicarage streaked away to a ten-length victory which to date is the stakes record.
From 2006 until 2009 the event was held on the new Polytrack surface.
The event was not held from 2010–2014 and it lost its graded status.
In 2015 the event was resumed as a Black Type and was held on the under card of the Breeders' Cup Saturday program over a distance of six furlongs.
From 2016 through 2019 the event once again was not held. In 2020 the event was held on the under card of the Breeders' Cup Saturday program as the first race. The winner of the race, Nashville set a new track record for the six furlong distance.
In 2021 the event was held over a distance of seven furlongs.
In 2024 the event was upgraded to Grade III by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.
Several fine horses have won this event include American Champion Sprint Horse Midnight Lute who won the Breeders' Cup Sprint twice.
Gunite won this event, following other sprinters who have also won the race.
Records
Speed record 6 furlongs: 1:07.98 – Nashville (2020) (new track record) 7 furlongs: 1:22.80 – Brunacini (2024) 7 furlongs 184 feet: 1:24.38 – Midnight Lute (2006)
Margins: 10 lengths: Vicarage (2005)
Most wins by a Jockey: 2 – Robby Albarado (1999, 2003) 2 – Pat Day (2001, 2002)
Most wins by a trainer: 3 – Bob Baffert (1999, 2006, 2025)
Most wins by an owner: No owner has no more than one win
Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref2025BarnesJosé OrtizBob BaffertZedan Racing Stables7 furlongs 1:23.45$350,000III2024Brunacini Luan MachadoMatthew SimsEmilie G. Fojan7 furlongs1:22.80 $259,000III2023Raise CainLuis SaezBen ColebrookAndrew N. Warren & Rania Warren7 furlongs1:23.58$235,188Listed2022GuniteTyler GaffalioneWinchell Thoroughbreds7 furlongs1:23.21$250,000Listed2021He'smyhoneybadgerFlorent GerouxBrad H. CoxSteve Landers Racing7 furlongs1:23.75$150,000 2020NashvilleSteven M. AsmussenWinStar Farm & China Horse Club6 furlongs1:07.89$125,000 2016–2019Race not held2015HebbronvilleJoe Bravo Lynn S. WhitingChoctaw Racing Stable, Winning Horse Stable & Scott Galloway6 furlongs1:09.78$100,000 2010–2014Race not held2009El BrujoEdgar S. PradoMalcolm PierceWindways Farm7 furlongs 184 feet1:25.95$150,000 III2008Hatta Fort (GB)Julien LeparouxSaeed bin SuroorGodolphin7 furlongs 184 feet1:25.97$200,000 III2007Steve's DoubleJamie TheriotRonny W. WernerOxbow Racing7 furlongs 184 feet1:25.36$200,000 III2006Midnight LuteVictor EspinozaBob BaffertMichael E. Pegram & Watson and Weitman Performance7 furlongs 184 feet1:24.38$200,000 III2005VicarageTodd A. PletcherDogwood Stable7 furlongs 184 feet1:26.06$200,000 III2004CommentatorRafael BejaranoNick ZitoTracy Farmer7 furlongs 184 feet1:25.19$112,600 Listed2003Clock StopperRobby AlbaradoDallas StewartOverbrook Farm7 furlongs 184 feet1:25.33$108,300 Listed2002NajranPat DayNick ZitoBuckram Oak Farm7 furlongs 184 feet1:26.00$84,075 Listed2001Dream RunPat DayPaul J. McGeeJohn D. Murphy, Sr.7 furlongs 184 feet1:27.25$81,225 Listed2000Smokin PeteShane SellersJames P. DivitoC P C Racing7 furlongs 184 feet1:25.38$72,000 Listed1999National SaintRobby AlbaradoBob BaffertCharles F. Heider Jr.7 furlongs 184 feet1:25.21$62,563 Listed Legend:
See also List of American and Canadian Graded races
External links 2024 Keeneland Media Guide
References